Republic Polytechnic Adopts Admiralty Park

Visitors can now learn more about plants such as anti-cancer tropical plants via the internet. An interactive website for Admiralty Park was launched on Sunday, 21 October 2007, to facilitate this online learning. Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Health Minister, was the GOH. The launch was attended by the Woodlands community and entertained by students from Republic Polytechnic (RP) at the park's amphitheatre.

150 RP students participated in research to feed the website with information prior to the launch. The website is set up by students from School of Applied Science (SAS) and School of Information and Communications Technology (SIT). It includes an e-guide, an interactive map, a flora and fauna gallery, and a video.

RP students will be trained by NParks staff to provide guided tours for visitors. They will manage and operate the information kiosk, provide educational programs and guided nature tours during their school vacation. There are plans for cultural activities within the park, healthy lifestyle and leisure activities and talks will also be conducted during student holidays. There are plans to host NAFA tests on the jogging tracks bi-yearly.

With the advent of RFID, other smart technologies and wireless connectivity, a day in the Admiralty Park is never going to be the same again. Besides being the first park to have an interactive website, another first in the near future to use Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags done by RP final year projects. This transmits information wirelessly about the plants in Admiralty Park such as its medicinal uses. Visitors in the park will have a brand new experience and learning in the near future.

Website link: http://www.rp.sg/admiraltypark

Words by BC